Short answer: the Apple HomePod 2nd Gen. It ranks #5 of 29 powered desktop speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $349. The Klipsch The One II ranks #26, rated 3.3/5, at $149.95, $199.05 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The Apple HomePod 2nd Gen is the better-sounding choice. A compact smart speaker with natural, spacious sound that tunes itself to the room, ideal for Apple Music and AirPlay users. It streams over Wi-Fi as well as Bluetooth, which the Klipsch The One II cannot. It links with other speakers (AirPlay 2 multi-room), which the Klipsch The One II cannot. Watch for: What Hi-Fi’s own comparison found the pricier Sonos Era 300 has more power, punch and detail, and Siri cannot launch Spotify, Tidal or other non-Apple services directly, only Apple Music by voice; everything else has to be sent over AirPlay from a phone.
What the Klipsch The One II does well: A compact retro tabletop speaker with Bluetooth and plenty of inputs, including optical, RCA, aux and USB. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Apple HomePod 2nd Gen lacks.
Buy the Apple HomePod 2nd Gen. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $199.05 with the Klipsch The One II does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Apple HomePod 2nd Gen | Klipsch The One II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.00 each | $149.95 each |
| Ranked | #5 of 29 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #26 of 29 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| IP Rating | None | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (AirPlay 2 multi-room) | No |
| Power Input | External AC adapter (detachable cable) | - |
| Stereo | No | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Weight | 5.1 lbs (2.3 kg) | 8.6 lbs (3.9 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | No |
| App | Yes (Apple Home) | No |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (far-field array, no physical mute switch) | - |
| EQ | Yes (Reduce Bass toggle + automatic room correction) | Yes (Bass/Treble) |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| TWS | Yes (stereo pairing via Home app) | No |
| Drivers | 4in high-excursion woofer, 5x horn-loaded tweeters | 4.5” woofer, 2x 2.25” full-range midranges |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2 | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA, Optical, USB |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| Dimensions | 6.7” x 5.6” x 5.6” (170 x 142 x 142 mm) | 9.1” x 5.9” x 5.9” (231 x 150 x 150 mm) |
| Voice Assistants | Apple Siri | - |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Apple Music (direct voice control); other services via AirPlay only | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 4.0 |
| Frequency Response | - | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported |
| Amplifier Power | - | 50W (Woofer: 30W, Full-range: 2x10W) |
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